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New Research Shows How Much Food is Needed By Seabirds
An international group of scientists, including one from the U.S. Geological Survey, has shown that many seabirds begin to suffer when the food available for them in the ocean declines below a critical level. This level is about one-third of the maximum...
Parasites Help Revise Ecological Theory
An old theory in ecology is that in any ecosystem, a small-sized animal species will be more populous than a large species. All you need is a summer picnic to prove the point: your barbecue might end up attracting thousands of tiny ants — but only a...
Southern Ocean Fertilized With Iron From Antarctic Krill
A new discovery reveals that the shrimp-like creature at the heart of the Antarctic food chain could play a key role in fertilizing the Southern Ocean with iron — stimulating the growth of phytoplankton (microscopic plant-like organisms). This process...
Small Mammals — And Rest of Food Chain — At Greater Risk From Global Warming Than Thought
Small-mammal communities got knocked seriously askew about 12,000 years ago by the last episode of global warming. Environmental disruptions let highly adaptable species thrive while others lost population and range. The current warming may push some...
Invasive Fish And Mussels Team Up to Transfer Toxic Substances Into Great Lakes Walleyes
Two notorious Great Lakes invaders — the zebra mussel and the round goby — now play a central role in transferring toxic chemicals called PCBs up the food chain and into Saginaw Bay walleyes, one of that region’s most popular sport fish. Science...
Skunk’s Worst Enemy is Other Skunks
Predators with experience of skunks avoid them both because of their black-and-white coloration and their distinctive body shape, according to UC Davis wildlife researcher Jennifer Hunter. The study was published online Oct. 21 in the journal Behavioral...
Drastic Reduction in West African Shark Catch
The Shark catch in West Africa has drastically dropped from 30,000 to 10,000 tons between 2002 and 2008, an expert of the sub-regional Fisheries Commission (CSRP) Mika Diop revealed at an ongoing event in Dakar.
Global Ban on Tributyltin Enters Into Force
A milestone in the protection of the oceans was reached today as a global ban on tributyltin (TBT) – one of the most toxic chemicals deliberately released into the sea – entered into force. How People Arrived Here: south africa tributyltin...
